This year’s Bolton Octagon Christmas production is the stage adaptation of the classic Robert Louis Stephenson novel Treasure Island. This is a lively family show telling the tale of Jim Hawkins on her travels to an island in search of adventure and of course treasure! One thing you can be sure of with the Bolton Octagon is quality productions and value for your money and Treasure Island does not disappoint. This is a huge production with high quality casting, design elements and a great show for all the family.
In its second year of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the original Octagon theatre building, this production is being staged at the Premier Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium in Horwich. It is an unlikely venue for a theatre production but the suite has been made into an 800 seat theatre space with a huge, raised end-on stage, completely different to the usual Bolton Octagon theatre-in-the-round. The space itself doesn’t have much atmosphere but the design team have done an incredible job of creating a set design of epic proportions which is a real spectacle to behold. If I were to criticise anything about this is would be the width of the stage being enormous, that not all audience members had equal sightlines of the stage and would recommend seating in the central areas.
Director Tim Jackson, has produced a stellar cast with Jack Lord in the lead role of the dastardly Long John Silver. The characterisation of this role was particularly good fun as he channelled the louche swagger of Captain Jack and leering drawl of Captain Barbosa from the 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' saga, which would no doubt give younger members of the audience easily recognisable traits as both a pirate and a villain. As Silver explains his 6 point plan to his less-than-competent crew of pirates, the play seemed to really find its feet, with a rhythm and sense of physical comedy that had the whole cast drawing laughs in unison.
Fresh from three years at Drama school, this was Ami Okumura-Jones’ first professional stage role and she played the feisty Jim Hawkins. Her stage presence and energy was captivating to watch, as was that of the young company of 24 Bolton youngsters aged 9-18. The young cast played several roles throughout the production including a gang of gnarly pirates. They were brilliantly entertaining and brought a real sense of childish warmth to the stage, whilst maintaining a fabulous sense of professionalism and brilliantly directed characterisation.
I am a huge advocate of Octagon productions and I think their Christmas productions are even more brilliant for audiences young and old but I felt this production was pitched at a younger audience and felt much more secure in the ‘Children’s Theatre’ genre. Whist I recognise that theatre needs to be accessible to the masses, I felt this production left my teenager slightly alienated by its childishness but primary school children were absolutely enthralled. It had larger than life characters, colourful costumes and plenty of singing and dancing to keep the entire audience entertained throughout, it just lacked in the more adult jokes which might usually go over the children’s heads. That said, music & lyrics by Susannah Pearse were original and had a lovely folk vibe and featured a live band on stage, often played within the scenes by the multi-talented adult cast; one of my favourite features of the show. One of the most memorable moments in the production was the absurd cheese song and dance. . . what a crazy moment that was?! I loved it, but no spoilers!
This production is on until 28th December and tickets are still available for this enormous venue, so grab your bandannas and eye-patches and head to Horwich. I can assure you of a great family Christmas theatre trip for you and your little explorers.
Reviewer - Johanna Hassouna-Smith
on - 10/12/19
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